Monday, September 3, 2012

Some Things to Remember Before IVF Month


After my initial visit to Taipei for my first consultation with Dr. Robert Lee Kuo- Kuang of Mackay Memorial Hospital, I am set to take the birth control pills on my next menstrual cycle.  This was supposed to be at the end of February and I can leave for Taiwan for the IVF Procedure by the end of March.  This is very good timing considering that I will be bringing my 5-year old daughter with me for my one-month stay in Taiwan as it’s vacation time already.

My cousin, who I am supposed to go with, chose to have her procedure done in May so that her baby will be born on the year of the dragon.  Chinese New Year was January 23, 2012.  However, due to my age, I did not want to delay for another couple of months. I wanted to do it as early as possible. Remember, to undergo IVF procedure you will need two menstrual cycles.  The first month is spent taking birth control pills. It is only on the second month that the actual IVF procedure is undertaken.

Anyway, due to work related reasons we opted to delay for a month.  On my second menstrual cycle after my visit to Taiwan I started taking Gynera on the 5th day.  Around this time, we were already booking our flight to Taiwan.  My menstrual cycle's day 1 was March 29, hence I started on my pills on April 2 taken every 9am. I set my cellphone's alarm so I will be reminded daily. I tend to forget especially when I am already busy at work.  This is one thing that I have learned from my workups, you take your medicine or any fertility shots more or less at the same time each day if it should be taken once a day (meaning once every 24 hours). If it should be taken twice a day, then take it every 12 hours say every 8am and 8pm.

The following week, April 9 (Day 12), we had an overnight out of town trip with friends.  We left early that day and at 9am my cellphone alarm turned on.  Oh my! It was then that I realized I was not able to bring my pills!  At that time, I did not mind taking a look at the name of the birth control pills, I remember there are Chinese characters and did not notice its English name.  We then passed by Robinsons Pampanga's Mercury Drug to buy birth control pills.  I asked the pharmacist if I could buy any brand just so I do not miss a couple of days and if all birth control pills can be interchangeably used. I only need 2 pieces of it while we are out of town.  These types of medicine are not sold by piece, it should be bought by pack, as birth control pills should be taken daily without miss.  The pharmacist said they are different from each other because they have different components. Oh no, panic mode on!

Good thing I have Ms. Vanessa Lin's cellphone number with me.  I called to request her to check what Dr. Lee prescribed me.  Luckily everything is in the computer and she was able to give me the name Gynera without having to stay on long distance call for long.  Finally got Gynera from Mercury Drug at around  P700. Instead of having it at a cheaper price from Taiwan I had to buy another set just for 2 pieces!

Counting 21 days, my last day will be on April 22 hence should book our flight to Taipei around April 24.  Unfortunately, there is no flight with Philippine Airlines (PAL) on Sundays and if we delay our flight to Monday I could miss being there by Day 2.  So we just left on Black Saturday, April 23 and set an appointment with Dr. Lee on April 25, Monday.


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